Turkmenistan, a former Soviet Union country, struggles with limited and unreliable internet access due to a persistent lack of investment and government censorship. Turkmentelecom is the single telecommunications operator in Turkmenistan that covers all telecommunication services, including the Internet, mobile communications, and e-mail. Turkmentelecom cooperates and maintains relationships with more than 40 operators in foreign countries, as well as with other communication companies such as Siemens, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Netash, Italtel, TCI, and Schlumberger. Due to having one provider of internet services for the whole country, this leads to extremely expensive and heavily regulated internet access.
Despite recent improvements, internet use remains restricted: many international sites are banned and national agencies operating websites are tightly controlled. The government has made efforts to improve the internet infrastructure by partnering with TATA Communications, which has resulted in increased broadband penetration.
However, censorship remains, targeting websites that advocate free speech and address sensitive topics such as women’s rights, pornography, and gambling. Internet surveillance is believed to be pervasive, posing challenges to freedom of expression. Although access to the Internet is growing rapidly, the Internet landscape in Turkmenistan remains under tight government control.
Internet in Turkmenistan
According to Techopedia, a digital technology information platform, recently released data on global virtual private network (VPN) usage. At the end of 2023, approximately 77% of users used VPNs for work, and 51% used them to protect their privacy on public Wi-Fi networks. In addition, 44% used VPNs to remain anonymous online, 37% for secure communication, and 20% to hide their activities from the authorities. It is noteworthy that countries with restricted human rights and freedom of speech have shown the greatest interest in searching through VPNs, according to Google Trends and Freedom House’s Freedom Online 2023 report.
Turkmenistan, which headed the list for the number of VPN searches in both 2022 and 2023, has the regrettable exception of banning the use of VPNs. Turkmentelecom is the only one authorized internet service provider, which controls information flows and blocks unwanted content, the country boasts one of the lowest internet penetration rates in Central Asia (38.2%), slow connections, and prohibitively high prices. Turkmenistan joins Oman, North Korea, Belarus, and Iraq in banning the use of VPNs. Despite these restrictions, residents of the country often require a VPN when purchasing new or used phones, which typically costs around $5. However, the effectiveness of VPNs is short-lived, often being blocked by the government shortly after installation.
What Social Media Is Allowed in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan operates as a highly repressive authoritarian regime that severely limits political and civil freedom. Elections are strictly controlled to ensure an overwhelming victory for the president and his supporters. The state keeps the economy under severe control, corruption runs at all levels, religious organizations are suppressed, and any form of political opposition is quickly suppressed.
Due to the heavy control of the information environment, such social media platforms as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are prohibited, leaving citizens isolated from the outside world. Despite occasional attempts to evade these restrictions through the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), the government has steadily increased cybersecurity measures to maintain control over internet access. President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, continuing the legacy of his predecessors, has tightened control over media and communication channels. Alternative platforms, such as Bizbarde and Belet, serve as controlled substitutes, offering a limited view of the outside world while promoting the regime’s agenda. The state media saturates the airwaves with propaganda, glorifying the Berdymukhamedov regime and suppressing opposition.
The presence of foreign media is minimal, and only a few authorized channels serve a small audience. Despite widespread human rights abuses and a gloomy press freedom record, many citizens find consolation in the state-controlled narrative, equating it with stability and tranquility. The controlled narrative masks a country with severe restrictions on political and civil freedoms, which has earned Turkmenistan a reputation as one of the most closed and authoritarian states in the world.
Streaming Services in Turkmenistan
As you already know, the range of digital services in Turkmenistan is highly protected and controlled. In this issue, it is important to know what are the streaming channels available and what are the possible ways to access Turkmen TV channels online from anywhere.
An average Internet speed is enough to watch TV online. Of course, when you watch broadcasts using the mobile Internet, your balance will be charged, and your home or work Internet will not charge additional fees beyond your tariff.
According to TurkmenPortal, there are several ways to watch Turkmen TV online:
- Mobile TV application of Altyn Asyr Closed Joint Stock Company
The company is a major provider of mobile services in Turkmenistan. Altyn Asyr operator providing GSM, 3G and LTE services. In addition to cellular communications, the company also offers local telephone services, broadband access and mobile television. To use the service, just download the Mobile TV app from the PlayMarket.
- Official website of the telecommunication company Turkmentelecom
You can access Turkmen TV channels anytime and anywhere through the Online TV section on the official website of Turkmentelecom. Just go to the “Media Menu” to enjoy Turkmen TV channels on your mobile device or computer.
These websites and apps that have potentially accessible streaming TV in Turkmenistan, may have some pitfalls because Turkmenistan only has a single internet provider—the government. The government strictly monitors users’ online activity to make sure they don’t visit banned websites, or watch propagandistic videos. VPNs give these users a much greater degree of control over their online activities and allow them to access blocked websites or content without the government tracking their activity. The security and privacy of VPNs are among their most attractive advantages. Private users in Turkmenistan can use VPNs anywhere, on laptops or smartphones. VPN clients make it easy to secure your online work and protect information from businesses, government agencies, and other third parties.
ZoogVPN users were not impacted by Turkmenistan’s VPN blocks. Since ZoogVPN offers several privacy options, it is ideal for use in countries where VPNs are blocked. The connection is fast, secure, easy to use, and completely undetectable by authorities. You can avoid any blocking or regional restriction with an invisible VPN – even if it’s a blocking for the VPN itself.
Restrictions in Turkmenistan – WhiteList
In Turkmenistan, the Internet is severely restricted, and online platforms are practically inaccessible. The use of VPNs is limited due to sophisticated monitoring by authorities. While some suggest exploring alternative methods, such as hosting VPNs through foreign servers, others worry that any significant traffic can attract attention and lead to a ban. In this environment, even technology solutions such as VPNs face significant challenges.
Many countries are using Blacklists to restrict specific sources or web-sites in the country, while Turkmenistan uses Whitelists that highlight only the accessible sources inside the country. Whitelists restrict access to most resources by allowing access only to those resources that are approved by the government. While whitelisting offers control over access to desired websites or virtual resources, it lacks the dynamism and versatility of other methods. This approach works as a control mechanism by denying access by default and then selectively allowing access to certain resources. Imagine your home, where access to the front door is restricted to you and your family members having keys. Whitelisting is especially useful for protecting sensitive information, such as financial or personnel records.
As a result, individuals are seeking alternatives like VPS hosts that remain unblocked and establishing potentially accessible VPNs. Suggestions for evading the restrictions in Turkmenistan include using dedicated VPN tools or exploring alternative methods such as domain fronting. Users are warned, though, to proceed with extreme caution regarding legal implications. For example, some VPN users hosts proxy servers on popular CDN services, which allows it to evade blocking by using fake domains. However, there are concerns about potential bans on the use of VPS and encrypted connections to unknown hosts.
Despite attempts to circumvent these restrictions through remote desktop (RDP) connections or careful use, the widespread restrictions in Turkmenistan pose significant challenges to free access to online content. Meanwhile, our ZoogVPN team has developed advanced technologies and, through consistent hard work, ensured uninterrupted internet access for users in Turkmenistan, thereby guaranteeing VPN operation in the region.
VPN for Turkmenistan: Benefits
A Turkmenistan VPN serves as a vital tool for individuals and businesses within the country, offering numerous benefits customized to the unique online landscape of Turkmenistan:
- Online Privacy: With its own set of privacy concerns and surveillance practices, Turkmenistan residents and visitors can maintain their online privacy and protect sensitive data from surveillance by utilizing a VPN with servers in Turkmenistan.
- Access to WorlwideContent: Regulatory or censorship issues may result in restricted or blocked online content and services within Turkmenistan. A Turkmenistan VPN allows users to access worldwide content and overcome inconvenient limitations.
- Enhanced Security: In the face of cyber threats and data breaches, a VPN provides an additional layer of security for businesses and individuals in Turkmenistan, ensuring their online activities remain safeguarded.
- Overcoming Censorship: Government or ISP-imposed restrictions on specific websites or online services can be circumvented with the help of a VPN, granting users access to the open internet and promoting freedom of information.
- Improved Connection Speed: Whether accessing Turkmen websites or services from outside the country, connecting to a Turkmenistan VPN server often offers faster and more reliable connections than direct access, enhancing browsing and streaming experiences.
When selecting a Turkmenistan VPN service, several key factors should be considered:
- Security Features: Look for features such as reliable encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch to enhance security and protect user data.
- Speed and Performance: Choose a VPN service that provides fast and stable connections to ensure smooth browsing and streaming experiences.
- Compatibility: Verify compatibility with various devices and operating systems to ensure ease of use across different platforms.
- Customer Support: Opt for a VPN provider with responsive customer support to address any issues or concerns promptly and effectively.
Turkmenistan VPN offers users the means to navigate the country’s online landscape securely, access restricted content, evade censorship, and enjoy improved connection speeds. Selecting the right VPN service involves considering factors such as server locations, security features, speed, compatibility, and customer support to ensure a seamless and protected online experience.
About ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN is an excellent choice among VPN providers that offers strong privacy protection and effective hiding of browsing history from internet service providers. Thanks to advanced encryption, it protects user data from interception, and its commitment to privacy means that it does not log internet activity. Its user-friendly interface and fast connection speeds make it ideal for all users, especially beginners. In addition, ZoogVPN helps users in restricted regions to quickly access blocked content using a technology called obfuscation. ZoogVPN’s free plan is suitable for most tasks, including streaming.
Get the best VPN with ZoogVPN today!
- Diana BestaievaContent Writer at ZoogVPN. Diana deeply explores the newest technologies and shares valuable insights engagingly and comprehensively. Keeping up with the tech news, she makes in-depth content, explaining complex concepts with ease.
